San Francisco Symphony’s opening celebrations were a fitting start to San Francisco’s social season. In fact, the parties were so good it felt like New Year’s Eve in the City by the Bay. And, if you are into the local fashion scene like I am, the style watching was second to none.
Michael Tilson Thomas opened San Francisco Symphony’s 105th season with a gala concert featuring longtime friends and divas Renée Fleming and Susan Graham. The two acclaimed superstars of the opera world performed vocal works by Mozart, Puccini, Cilea, Gershwin, and Berlin. Performances also paid special tribute to composer Steve Reich on his 80th birthday.
Four separate formal dinners took place prior to the gala concert. The Patrons’ Dinner for some 660 guests in a temporary, elaborate tented pavilion built next to Davies Symphony Hall. The Symphony Supper and Symphonix Dinner Party at beautiful City Hall, with 775 guests in total. Red Carpet Bay Area served as the media sponsor for the Symphonix Dinner Party.
Following the concert, the entire audience of over 2,700 celebrated at a high-energy indoor-outdoor After-Party in the Tented Pavilion and on Grove Street. Entertainment from DJL!, Notorious, and The Purple Ones, combined with complimentary drinks and food from an array of San Francisco establishments kept the partygoers energized until 2 am!
Scenes from the After-Party:
Red Carpet Bay Area salutes the San Francisco Symphony Gala Chairs:
Opening Night Gala Chair: Priscilla Geeslin
Wattis Room Dinner Chair: Ann Paras
Symphony Supper Chairs: Ann Cavness Balajadia and Maryam Ghajar Milani
Symphonix Dinner Chairs: Whitney Hudak and Jesse Hunt
After-party Chairs: Cate McDonough, Kuntal Goradia, Kris E. Kolassa
Honorary Chairs: Christine and Pierre Lamond
Photos by Agency Moanalani Jeffrey
— Related: Red Carpet Bay Area coverage of past San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala events